Monday, September 08, 2008

those mitts

**********************updated::way down below********************This is my "go to" mitt pattern. I just made a couple of changes to a couple of different patterns and combined them. So not really my "own" pattern. But thought I would share what I do. And it is the pattern I use a lot. I usually use this pattern for the guys in my life that need a gift. This pair went to my husband. But believe me, I wear these. I have a black pair. A brown pair. A creme pair and a grey pair. I have made them for my sisters and made them for friends. I sometimes put a stripe of a contrasting color in the ribbing. But a super easy pattern that requires little brain power. I like that. Sometimes that is exactly the project I need.Materials::Worsted weight yarn. (I have used so many different yarns for this pattern. This particular yarn was Araucania nature wool; color Ve05)::US 6 double pointed needles, set of 4 (or size to obtain gauge)::stitch markers

Hand:: Change to knit stitch, and knit until desired length until thumb. For this particular pair, that was 4 inches. Piece measured 5 1/2 inches. (Shorter is also very nice. Really. Whatever you like here, also.)

Next row 1, (needle 1) K2, increase 1 stitch in next stitch, place marker, knit across the rest of the stitches on needle 1, knit across all of the stitches on needle 2, knit to last 3 stitches on needle 3, place marker, increase 1 stitch in next stitch, k2. (42 stitches)

Next row 2, knit one row.

Repeat these 2 rows 4x.

Then repeat row 1. You will have 52 stitches. And 9 stitches at beginning of needle 1, before marker, and 9 stitches at end of needle 3, after marker.

Next row, knit across all stitches on needle 1 (slipping marker as you come to it), knit across all stitches on needle 2, knit to marker on needle 3, remove marker, k1, bind off next 8 stitches.

i'm bookmarking this one :) my grandpa has very thin skin on his hands and has sustained a lot of injuries lately. i suggested a pair of fingerless gloves, but when i showed him the fetching pattern he said, "i can't wear those." well, maybe cables aren't for him, but these mitts might be.

So super simple and lovely. I love how you don't have to pick up and knit the thumb any more than you already have like so many other mitts out there. I am definitely going to be making a pair of these for my hubby, dad and brother for x-mas this year.

see, I want to make these, but the problem is that you are not my next-door neighbor and I can't bring it over when I mess it up!! I am currently finishing a giant project that is not even mine and if/when I finish that, these will be my project for Christmas.

Oh, I forgot to say what I was going to say before the Scout thing! And heaven forbid I not say every single thing that flits through my head... I LOVE that you don't have to do thumbs separately. That is THE BEST thing in the world.

Ah, I see you already answered my questions. Not that I really had them, because after 30 years I should know better, but I thought, "I bet that Leslie's on top of things," and I'll go check it out, just in case there was some weird increase method or something.

Thanks for sharing your pattern, Leslie! I am just now catching up on everyone's summer doings. You ahve been busy! Have you seen the new Butler book for baby sewn goods? Obviously, that is my state of mind right now, but there are some very cute things in there...you know, in case you wanted to know...

Wow, finding this pattern comes at a most opportune time for me. I am beginning my Christmas Knit List (a late start, I know). I'd never really thought about making these for guys, but I'm betting my teenaged step-grandsons, who frequently camp out in sub-freezing weather with the Scouts, would really enjoy these. I like the detailed manner in which you wrote out the pattern. My knitting skills are not advanced to the point that I can read between the lines, something required in many patterns out there.